It's a hopeful moment. He's got four years to screw up expectations, and it's not like he's going to effect any major changes in that time, with or without Republican support, but I can't remember another time in my lifetime when there was so much promise, not even when 'Ol Bubba played sax on Arsenio Hall and got himself elected.

Corey, you sound like a 15-year-old who's just read Nietzsche. A little hopefulness now and then doesn't require the absolute sacrifice of common sense, careful scrutiny, God, faith, and Fido...or the constant, nagging reminder that Washington is corrupt no matter who's in office--yadda-yadda-ya--and Obama's no messiah--yadda-yadda-ya.

For example, while it's true that we're all going to die, you are not required to go to someone's birthday party for the express purpose of reminding that person of that. Though you do have every right to dissent to the happiness, sure.

gingaio Wrote:
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> For example, while it's true that we're all going
> to die, you are not required to go to someone's
> birthday party for the express purpose of
> reminding that person of that.

That's funny, because Mr. Sjoen called me on my birthday to remind me that I was going to die. And I think it's going to happen! (one day)

Hey, it’s cool, man. I wasn’t trying to start a fight either. I was just trying to point out how annoying some of your posts have been (some I also find amusing; most I don't feel any particular way about). It’s sort of like when you called out Japester for pissing on this board constantly. It really wouldn’t have made much sense if he came back and said, “Well, Corey, you’re only annoyed by me because your love for ToyboxDX is dependent on me loving it, too. So I doubt the depth of your conviction.”

I’m not saying that your posts are anywhere near as annoying as that guy’s, and I’m not saying I even know you well enough to judge you as a person, but the de rigeur hard-luck, world-weary cynicism that characterizes some of your posts have recently been grating on me. Why? Who knows. Maybe I'm allergic. Maybe it’s because your tossed-off complaints, whether it’s about how it doesn’t matter who the president is...the government’s still flawed...that Obama guy is no savior...you won’t blindly follow him...well, all of that is painfully obvious and most of us aren’t sheep or stupid or have said anything suggesting that we are, so I’m scratching my head as to why it even needs to be articulated.

And another thing that's nice to see is the smile on EVERY black person in my neighborhood!

Seriously, I'm generally with Corey in that Obama's election isn't going to stem the tanking economy, provide equal rights for gay people, divert funds from the prison and war industrial complexes and into education, or ANY other social ill any time soon....BUT I've never seen such hope among my black friends.

Before, black men in their 20's and 30's were the least likely constituency to vote...not anymore, baby!!

There's clearly a LONG journey ahead...but this sure ain't a bad first step.

I live in Atlanta and to say that people here are happy with the Presidential is an understatement.

But this morning on my ride into work there was a radio news segment about how leaders in the black community here are concerned that our new president elect will not appoint enough black members to his cabinet...hmmmmmmmm

QuoteBut this morning on my ride into work there was a radio news segment about how leaders in the black community here are concerned that our new president elect will not appoint enough black members to his cabinet...hmmmmmmmm

I'd be more concerned with him appointing the RIGHT members to his cabinet regardless of race. Dipshits.

I too am filled with hope and am shocked that a black man could win the US presidential election in my lifetime. Up until a few months ago I didn't think it was possible. Now that hope is slightly tarnished (or I've just been brought back to reality) by the comments above from the radio show that show just how racist the country still is *sigh*.
-Mason

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Matthewalt &quot;I actually kinda LIKE that approach! You know: let's make a TOY. Remember those? Products designed to be played with without breaking? DO YOU REMEMBER, LOVE?!&quot;

mcfitch Wrote:
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> But this morning on my ride into work there was a
> radio news segment about how leaders in the black
> community here are concerned that our new
> president elect will not appoint enough black
> members to his cabinet...hmmmmmmmm
>
> I'd be more concerned with him appointing the
> RIGHT members to his cabinet regardless of race.
> Dipshits.
>
> I too am filled with hope and am shocked that a
> black man could win the US presidential election
> in my lifetime. Up until a few months ago I
> didn't think it was possible. Now that hope is
> slightly tarnished (or I've just been brought back
> to reality) by the comments above from the radio
> show that show just how racist the country still
> is *sigh*.
> -Mason

But the REALLY CRAZY part of the remarks were that they were made by black men...

Well, the way *I* read that is that they're not really concerned about who's "right" or "wrong" for the position.

Global capitalism is pretty corrupt around these parts and it shows in our tanking economy. Individuals' education and personal success aren't the focus of our culture anymore...the desperate profit-making or our corporations is.

Like Corey was implying before, I don't think a few individuals at the top--regardless of their intelligence or good intentions--can solve these problems on their own. This country runs on corporate dollars, first and foremost. That create's a conflict of interest at every level dealing with real human beings. Why educate people? Just train them to consume.

I feel that the only real change in society can come from the grassroots level, where the individual person learns how to step outside of the myriad oppressions inherent in this corrupt form of capitalism, and figures out how to think for him/herself. That's the revolutionary's point of view.

In contrast, the reformist's point of view is that change in society comes from within the system, presumably at a high level. I don't have much faith in that...and I would guess that those black leaders on the radio think the same way. But if so, why worry about Obama putting black people in his cabinet? Well, as I said before, just go out and talk to black folks in your community.

I've never seen such hope--even if it's not based in anything substantial (and I think they know that: they realize racism isn't going to end magically on 1/20/09, for example). The point is that Obama's election is actually mobililzing people in a positive way, on the grassroots level...even if Obama, himself, may not effect much lasting change as a man working within the system.

I believe those black community leaders are trying to build upon that movement, instead of letting it fizzle out. By having more black people in positions of power, there's more community dialog (hence this very thread!)...and, thus, more grassroots activity.

Hey, you may look at it as racism, but if anything, I'd call it a *reaction* to the rampant, systematic racism that exists in this country. I think the bottom line is that all our heads and hearts are in the right place...we just have differing views on how to engineer a better tomorrow.

--
Sanjeev

'Us Massholes straight up just don't give a fuck. I still pronounce "Mazinger" as "Tranzor Z".'
-Nekrodave

I believe the issue is that it scares them that Obama didn't court the civil rights old guard as fervently as other liberal presidential candidates have in the past, so they have jumped to conclusions about his true intentions. All the while ignoring that Colin Powel is an active advisor and, if he's up to getting back into the game, a possible candidate for a position.